Split-ring hoisting clamp



Sept. 14, 1965 H. L. FENSIN SPLIT-RING noxsmze cum? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 1964 INVENTOR. HERBERT L. FENSIN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,206,242 SPLIT-RING HOISTlNG CLAMP Herbert L. Fensin, San Carlos, Califi, assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Jan. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 339,565 10 Claims. (Cl. 294-67) This invention relates to hoisting fixtures, and more particularly to a split-ring clamp capable of side attachment to an elongate article to be hoisted and which will enable the article to be rotated throughout a 360 roll.

In the article-handling art it frequently becomes necessary to lift an elongate article, such as a tube, a shaft or a missile for positioning with respect to a part to which it is to be mated; for supporting on a stand, or for similar purposes. Such an article to be handled may be relatively long or supported on a stand such that it is not practical to slip the clamp or fixture over one end of the article to position the fixture at the desired hoisting location.

In addition, it may be desired to roll the hoisted article through a 360 degrees roll for alignment, inspection, or some other purpose.

None of the prior art fixtures are capable of performing the above-described tasks.

Accordingly, one object of my invention is to provide a supporting fixture that can be attached from one side of the elongate article that it is to support, and a corollary object is to provide such a fixture that can be resiliently clamped to said article that, will enable the article to be rolled 360 degrees;

A further object is to provide a support fixture that can be opened for attachment around the article and without having disconnected or loose parts;

Still other objects are to provide a support fixture that will function under radial and thrust loads; and that can be attached and disconnected conveniently, quickly and safely.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the invention clamp, in an open position, being lowered for attachment from a side of the stand-supported article to be lifted;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of FIG. 1 with the article being supported by the invention clamps from a sling;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of the inven tion clamp with the pair of pivotal sections shown by solid lines in a closed position and in an open position in broken lines;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken along lines IV-IV, VV, and VIVI, respectively, of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is an end view of the invention clamps with the pivotal sections in a closed position.

Referring to the drawing where like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the figures there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a split-clamp 10 constructed according to the teaching of this invention suspended by a conven tional sling 12. The lower end of clamp 10 comprises a pair of hinged sections 14 and 16 hinged on axes 18 and 20, respectively, to facilitate attachment from a side of a cylindrical article 22 (see FIG. 2) as it rests on a stand 24. When the hinged sections 14 and 16 are closed and secured about article 22, the clamped article can be lifted by sling 12. The invention clamp enables the article to be rotated about its longitudinal axis throughout a 360 roll, and, as example as shown in FIG. 2, for insertion or aligning into a cylinder 26 or assembly to any other article or handling maneuver that may be required, and in a manner presently to be described.

3,206,242 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 The details of split-clamp 10 are further illustrated in FIGS. 3-7, and comprises an inner race 28 and a concentric outer race 30; inner race 28 having an annular peripheral recess 32 in which is seated outer race 30. Outer race 30 is rotatably supported to the inner race 28 by three pairs of roller bearings 34 and 36, each pair equally spaced circumferentially around the clamp. One pair of roller bearings is mounted in the main section 37 of the clamp, and one pair is mounted in each of the hinged sections 14 and 16. By this construction, only three pairs of rollers are needed, although more may be provided.

Each pair of rollers 34 and 36 are rotatably supported on bolts 38 and 39, respectively, which extend through a Web portion of inner race 28. Each bolt 38 and 39 is oriented along an axis 45 with respect to the vertical, the axes of the rollers being 90 apart.

Outer race 30 is provided with a central inner annular recess 40 adapted to receive bolts 38 and 39 and the respective rollers. Recess 40 is formed with oppositely disposed surfaces 42 and 43 bevelled at a complementary angle with the axes of bolts 38 and 39 to provide a race for rollers 34 and 36, respectively. This angular disposition of the rollers enables the clamp to function when subjected to both radial and thrust loads.

Inner race 28 is formed with an inverted U-shapedhousing at each side to provide an annular groove 44 that extends completely around main portion 37 of the clamp as well as hinged sections 14 and 16. An elongate pneumatic bag or tube 45 is seated Within each groove 44, the tube terminating at the free ends of sections 14 and 16. Each tube protrudes radially inwardly the clamp beyond the bore surface of race 28 resiliently to grip article 22, and the tube can be inflated, if desired, firmly to grip the article to the inner race. The diameter of clamp 10 is determined by the diameter of article 22 to be lifted, the clamp diameter being sufficiently large to enable the inner race and tube to be inserted over the article from one side thereof and be clamped by the inner race, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to enable the article and the inner race to be rolled with respect to the outer race.

A cross-section through axis 20 of hinged section 16, is illustrated in FIG. 5, and comprises hinges 46 and 47, hinge 46 being intermediately of a pair of hinges 47. Hinge 46 includes, a male loop portion 30a of which is integral with the main section of outer race 30 and a female loop portion 16a being integral with hinged section 16. Hinge loops portions 30a and 16:: are connected together by a hinge pin 48 secured therein by snap-fitting roll pins 50. Hinge pin 48 is shorter in length than the combined width of hinge 46 to provide a socket 52 at each end for a purpose presently to be described. Each hinge 47 comprises a female loop portion 16b formed integral with the hinged section 16, and a central male loop portion 28:: formed integral with the main section of inner race 28. The hinge loops portions of hinge 47 are connected together by a combination hinge-alignment pin 54 terminating at the outer end in a hand knob 56. Each pin 54 has a length greater than the combined width of its respective hinge to provide a protruding end 58 that is adapted to fit into socket 52 of binge 46. Pin 54 is biased by a compression spring 60 acting on a collar 62 integral with pin 54 to engage socket 52. Such a hinge construction insures that pins 54 and pin 48 are in the same axis, which is necessary so that the hinge center of both the inner and outer race are in alignment when the clamp is opened or closed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 the pivotable sections 14 and 16 are secured in their closed position by a pair of swing bolts 64 and 66, one swing bolt 64 being pivoted by pin 65 to the outer race 30 of pivotable section 14, and two swing bolts 66 being pivoted by pins 67 to inner race 28 of pivotable section 14. The inner and outer each swing bolt is tightened to secure the pivotable sections 14 and 16 in closed position about the article around which the clamp is positioned.

The clamp can be suspended by a sling 12 by providing a pair of trunnions 72 attached to opposite sides of the main body of clamp 37. The trunnions, as illustrated in FIG. 7, can be each integral with a plate 74 which is adjustably positioned on bar 76 secured to the clamp, or the trunnion can be attached directly to main portion 37 of the clamp.

The operation of the split ring clamp is obvious from FIGURES 1 and 2. To secure the clamp over article 22, swing bolts 64 and 66 are loosened to enable pivotal sections 14 and 16 to fall apart as shown in FIG. 1, sufficiently spaced to receive the article therebetween. Pins 54 maintain both the inner and the outer race components of sections 14 and 16 in alignment during the opening and closing operation. As the mouth formed by the main section 37 of the clamp is greater than the diameter of article 22 the clamp can be slipped over the article from one side. When the main section of the clamp is resting on the article, the pivotal sections are swung back in position and secured around the article by swing bolts 64 and 65. Inflatable tubes 45 frictionally engage the article to enable the assembly of inner race 28 and the article to rotate together within outer race 30 when the latter is suspended by sling 12. v The invention split-clamp enables an article to be easily secured from one side. The clamp will enable the article supported by the clamp to be rolled throughout 360 for alignment or similar purposes. The clamp is of simple and inexpensive construction, and can be opened up as a unitary structure without the problem of handling or losing disconnected parts. By providing two pivotal sections, a sufficient opening in the clamp is assured to enable the open clamp to be simply lowered over the article to be lifted.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described:

I claim:

1. A split-clamp for hoisting an elongate article comprising:

a clamp body adapted to encircle the article including; an inner bearing race having a bore configuration generally conforming to the outer configuration of the article;

a resilient member supported by the inner race and projecting radially inwardly beyond the bore surface to frictionally engage the article;

an outer bearing race circumscribing the inner race;

a plurality of spaced bearings disposed between said races to permit relative rotary movement therebetween;

said clamp body formed into a main section having a mouth opening slightly larger than the outer configuration of the article to enable the clamp body to be positioned around the article from a side thereof;

said clamp body having at least one openable section pivotably secured to the main section for closing the mouth opening with the article positioned in the clamp;

means for securing the openable section in a closed position;

whereby the clamp can be attached to the article from one side, and, the article and the inner race can be rolled together 360 around the outer race.

2. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the outer bearing race is provided with oppositely disposed sling attaching means.

3. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the resilient member is an inflatable tube.

4. The clamp of claim 1 wherein two openable sections are provided, each section pivo'table secured to opposite sides of the main section of the body.

5. The clamp of claim 4 wherein the main body sec-v tion and each of the openable sections are each provided with a bearing disposed between said races to permit relative rotary movement therebetween.

6. A split-clamp for hoisting an elongate article comprising:

a clamp body adapted to encircle the article including an inner bearing race having a bore configuration generally conforming to the outer configuration of the article;

a resilient member supported by the inner race and projecting radially inwardly beyond the bore surface to frictionally engage the article;

an outer bearing race circumscribing the inner race;

oppositely disposed sling attaching means secured to the outer race;

a plurality of spaced bearings disposed between said races to permit relative rotary movement therebetween;

said clamp body formed into a main section having a mouth opening slightly larger than the outer configuration of the article to enable the clamp body to be positioned around the article from a side thereof;

said clamp body having a pair of openable sections pivotably secured to opposite ends the main section for closing the mouth opening with the article positioned in the clamp;

means for securing the openable sections in a closed position;

whereby the opened clamp can be attached to the article from one side and with the clamp closed the article can be rolled with the inner race 360 around the outer race.

7. The split clamp of claim 6 wherein:

each openable section has a separate hinge for the inner race portion and the outer race portion of the openable section; and

means for aligning the hinges to retain the hinge center lines in the same axis when the sections are opened.

8. The split clamp of claim 7 wherein each openable section is provide with a bearing between the inner race portion and the outer race portion of the operable section.

9. A s plit-clamp for hoisting an elongate article comprising:

a clamp body adapted to encircle the article including an inner bearing race having a bore configuration generally conforming to the outer configuration of the article;

a resilient member supported by the inner race and projecting radially inwardly beyond the bore surface to frictionally engage the article;

an outer bearing race circumscribing the inner race;

a plurality of spaced bearings assemblies disposed between said races to permit relative rotary movement therebetween;

said clamp body formed into a main section having a mouth opening slightly larger than the outer configuration of the article to enable the clamp body to be positioned around the article from a side thereof;

said clamp body having at least two openable sections pivotably secured to opposite ends of the main section for closing the mouth opening with the article positioned in the clamp;

means for securing the openable sections in a closed position;

one bearing assembly being located in each of the main section and operable sections;

each bearing assembly including a pair of rollers having rotational axes angularly disposed with each other;

whereby the opened clamp can be attached to the article from one side and with the clamp closed the article can be rolled with the inner race 360 around the outer race.

10. A split-clamp for hoisting an elongate article comprising:

a clamp body adapted to encircle the article including an inner bearing race having a bore configuration generally conforming to the outer configuration of the article;

said inner race having an annular groove on the periphery thereof;

a resilient member supported by the inner race and projecting radially the bore surface and adapted to engage the article;

an outer bearing race circumscribing the inner race and seated within said annular recess;

a plurality of spaced roller bearings assemblies disposed between said races to permit relative rotary movement therebetween;

each assembly including a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in opposing relation on an axis disposed at approximately a 45 angle with the vertical;

said outer bearing race having a pair of complementary bevelled surfaces for engaging said pair of rollers;

said clamp body formed into a main section having a mouth opening slightly larger than the outer configuration of the article to enable the clamp body to be positioned around the article;

said clamp body having an openable section pivotably secured to the main section for closing the mouth opening with the article positioned in the clamp;

means for securing the openable section in a closed position;

whereby the opened clamp can be attached to the article from one side and with the clamp closed the article can be rolled with the inner race 360 around the outer race.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 859,513 7/07 Paige 294-67 2,076,758 4/ 37 Whiting 29474 2,775,869 1/57 Pointer.

2,894,780 7/59 Hollander 294-67 X 25 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SPLIT-CLAMP FOR HOISTING AN ELONGATE ARTICLE COMPRISING: A CLAMP BODY ADAPTED TO ENCIRCLE THE ARTICLE INCLUDING; AN INNER BEARING RACE HAVING A BORE CONFIGURATION GENERALLY CONFORMING TO THE OUTER CONFIGURATION OF THE ARTICLE; A RESILIENT MEMBER SUPPORTED BY THE INNER RACE AND PROJECTING RADIALLY INWARDLY BEYOND THE BORE SURFACE TO FRICTIONALLY ENGAGE THE ARTICLE; AN OUTER BEARING RACE CIRCUMSCRIBING THE INNER RACE; A PLURALITY OF SPACED BEARINGS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID RACES TO PERMIT RELATIVE ROTARY MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN; SAID CLAMP BODY FORMED INTO A MAIN SECTION HAVING A MOUTH OPENING SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THE OUTER CONFIGURATION OF THE ARTICLE TO ENABLE THE CLAMP BODY TO BE POSITIONED AROUND THE ARTICLES FROM A SIDE THEREOF; 